Monkey viruses are all the Rage

Rating: Null/10 (1 November 2002)

The most grim, brutal and unforgiving film I've seen in some time, but also the most refreshing in its total abhorrence of Hollywood sentimentality. You might recognise a few faces here and there, but on the whole the lack of big-name stars definitely works in the film's favour as there really are no guarantees on who's going to make it through the next violent attack.
There are some shaky moments - the opening sequence at the lab occasionally borders on farce, and the 'deeper' sections of dialogue either come across as corny or are clumsily delivered, such as by the actress who plays the young girl Hannah - but on the whole you'll be shocked, you'll be on edge the entire time, and you'll appreciate every minute of it later. The ending does jar slightly, but it's a small price to pay.
This is the British Blair Witch, demonstrating exactly how budget and production values should come second to talent and cohesive vision, and it's the first genuinely unsettling, unpredictable horror film in years. Full credit to Danny Boyle for not taking the easy way out.